Systems and methods for providing a clock signal

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for providing a clock signal are provided. A frequency multiplier circuit is provided that can include a plurality of serially connected delay elements that are configured to generate a plurality of delay tap signals from an input signal. The frequency multiplier circuit can also include a phase detector configured to receive a first selected delay tap signal and the input signal. The phase detector can detect a phase shift between the first selected delay tap signal and the input signal, and can generate a phase detection signal indicative of a value of the phase shift. The frequency multiplier circuit can also include a digital logic gate configured to receive the input signal and a second selected delay tap signal. The digital logic gate can be further configured to generate an output signal responsive to the second selected delay tap signal and the input signal. The frequency multiplier circuit can also include a controller coupled to the phase detector and coupled to an output gate. The controller can be configured to receive the phase detection signal and to enable the output gate when the value of the phase shift corresponds to a predetermined value. The output gate can provide the output signal when enabled.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority under 35U.S.C. §120 to co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/717,734 titled“SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A CLOCK SIGNAL,” filed Mar. 4, 2010,which is a continuation of and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 toU.S. application Ser. No. 12/117,226 entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORPROVIDING A CLOCK SIGNAL,” filed on May 8, 2008 which claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/928,786 entitled “CLOCK DOUBLER WITH AUTO-CALIBRATION,” and filed May11, 2007, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

At least one embodiment of the present invention relates generally tocontrol systems and methods for generating a signal, and morespecifically, for generating an output signal having a frequency that isa multiple of a frequency of the input signal.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Digital circuits and their components are driven by clock signals thatoscillate between a high state and a low state at a given frequency.Clock signals can be used to synchronize various system components, andto direct the operation of one or more circuits within the system. Aclock signal can operate as a source for many different circuits thatform part of a device, such as a computer or mobile telephone handset.However, various circuits or their components within such devices canrequire different frequencies in order to operate properly or moreefficiently, and therefore, a single clock signal operating at a fixedfrequency may be insufficient to drive varying circuits and to meettheir differing requirements.

Mobile telephone handsets and other electronic devices require multipleclock signals at different frequencies. These devices are used incommunication systems or telecommunication networks such as GlobalSystem for Mobile Communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service(GPRS) or Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Evolution (EDGE) networks. Existingways of changing or adjusting a clock signal frequency result in signalswith inaccurate and shifting duty cycles that are difficult to control.This is in part because existing techniques for adjusting clock signalfrequency are susceptible to operationally significant temperature andvoltage fluctuations. In addition, conventional frequency multipliershave high current and power requirements, and are physically largecircuits, making compact and efficient placement on computer chipsimpractical.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention are directed tofrequency multipliers and circuits adapted to change the frequency of aninput signal. These frequency multipliers can generate multiple clocksignals of different frequencies from a source signal. Embodiments arecapable of low power operations and being implemented with digitalcircuitry, resulting in circuits having lower power requirements and asmall footprint. The small size and low power consumption of thesecircuits make them suitable for use in space or power constraineddevices such as mobile telephone handsets, personal digital assistants(PDAs), and the like.

At least one aspect is directed to a frequency multiplier circuit. Thefrequency multiplier circuit can include a plurality of seriallyconnected delay elements that are configured to generate a plurality ofdelay tap signals from an input signal. The frequency multiplier circuitcan also include a phase detector configured to receive a first selecteddelay tap signal and the input signal. The phase detector can detect aphase shift between the first selected delay tap signal and the inputsignal, and can generate a phase detection signal indicative of a valueof the phase shift. The frequency multiplier circuit can include adigital logic gate configured to receive the input signal and a secondselected delay tap signal. The digital logic gate can be furtherconfigured to generate an output signal responsive to the secondselected delay tap signal and the input signal. The frequency multipliercircuit can also include a controller coupled to the phase detector andcoupled to an output gate. The controller can be configured to receivethe phase detection signal and to enable the output gate when the valueof the phase shift corresponds to a predetermined value. The output gatecan provide the output signal when enabled.

At least one other aspect is directed to a method of providing a clocksignal. The method receives an input signal and can generate a pluralityof delay tap signals from the input signal. The method detects a phaseshift between the input signal and a first delay tap signal, and selectsa second delay tap signal based at least in part on a value of the phaseshift. The method can generate the clock signal responsive to the inputsignal the second delay tap signal, and can enable an output responsiveto the phase shift having a predetermined value. The method can alsoprovide the clock signal at the output.

At least one other aspect is directed to a frequency multiplier circuitthat generates a digital output clock signal. The frequency multipliercircuit can include a plurality of connected delay elements. The delayelements are configured to produce a plurality of time delay tap signalsfrom a digital input clock signal. A counter can be configured toidentify a number of delay elements that produce a first time delay tapsignal indicative of a first phase shift of the digital input clocksignal. The counter can be further configured to identify, based atleast in part on the number of delay elements that produce the firsttime delay tap signal, a second delay tap signal indicative of a secondphase shift in the digital input clock signal. The frequency multipliercircuit includes means for generating the digital output clock signalresponsive to the digital input clock signal and the second delay tapsignal. A controller can be coupled to the counter and configured toenable a frequency multiplier circuit output responsive to the firstphase shift having a predetermined value. The frequency multipliercircuit output can be configured to provide the digital output clocksignal.

Various embodiments of these aspects may include a counter configured togenerate a first counter signal indicative of a first number of delayelements that produce a first selected delay tap signal. The counter canalso be configured to produce a second counter signal indicative of asecond number of delay elements that produce a second selected delay tapsignal. At least one multiplexor, coupled to a phase detector, a digitallogic gate, a counter, and a plurality of serially connected delayelements, can be configured to receive a plurality of delay tap signals,a first counter signal, and a second counter signal. The multiplexor mayselect a first selected delay tap signal and provide it to the phasedetector. The multiplexor may also select a second selected delay tapsignal and provide it to a digital logic gate. The frequency multipliercircuit may form part of a transceiver of a mobile telephone configuredfor communication through a network, such as any of a Global System forMobile Communications (GSM), a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), oran Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Evolution (EDGE) network, for example.

Still other aspects, embodiments, and advantages of these exemplaryaspects and embodiments are discussed in detail below. Moreover, it isto be understood that both the foregoing information and the followingdetailed description are merely illustrative examples of various aspectsand embodiments, and are intended to provide an overview or frameworkfor understanding the nature and character of the claimed aspects andembodiments. The accompanying drawings are included to provideillustration and a further understanding of the various aspects andembodiments, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of thisspecification. The drawings, together with the remainder of thespecification, serve to explain principles and operations of thedescribed and claimed aspects and embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of at least one embodiment are discussed below withreference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, which are notintended to be drawn to scale, each identical or nearly identicalcomponent that is illustrated in various figures is represented by alike numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may belabeled in every drawing. The figures are provided for the purposes ofillustration and explanation and are not intended as a definition of thelimits of the invention. In the figures:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting one example of a frequencymultiplier circuit in accordance with aspects of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting examples of a frequency multipliercircuit in accordance with aspects of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting an example of a frequency multipliercircuit in accordance with aspects of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting examples of modes of operation of afrequency multiplier circuit in accordance with aspects of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram depicting an example of a frequency multipliercircuit in accordance with aspects of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a timing diagram depicting an example of frequency multipliercircuit signals in accordance with aspects of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a timing diagram depicting an example of frequency multipliercircuit signals in accordance with aspects of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a timing diagram depicting an example of frequency multipliercircuit signals in accordance with aspects of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a timing diagram depicting one example of an output signal ofa frequency multiplier circuit in accordance with aspects of theinvention;

FIG. 10 is a timing diagram depicting one example of an output signal ofa frequency multiplier circuit in accordance with aspects of theinvention;

FIG. 11 is a timing diagram depicting one example of an output signal ofa frequency multiplier circuit in accordance with aspects of theinvention;

FIG. 12 is a timing diagram depicting one example of an output signal ofa frequency multiplier circuit in accordance with aspects of theinvention; and

FIG. 13 is a flow chart depicting an example of a method of providing aclock signal in accordance with aspects of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects and embodiments are directed to frequency multipliercircuits with automatic calibration features. As discussed furtherbelow, a frequency multiplier circuit may use one or more delay elementsto generate a signal that is phase shifted with respect to the inputsignal. This phase shifted signal can be combined with the input signalto generate an output signal with a frequency that is a multiple of theinput signal, for example, double the frequency of the input signal, asdiscussed further below. The magnitude of the phase shift in the phaseshifted signal relative to the input signal can be controlled, asdiscussed below, so as to generate the output signal with a certaindesired frequency and also with a controlled duty cycle. Digitalimplementation of the frequency multiplier circuit, as discussed below,reduces both power requirements and the area occupied by the frequencymultiplier circuit.

It is to be appreciated that embodiments of the methods and apparatusesdiscussed herein are not limited in application to the details ofconstruction and the arrangement of devices set forth in the followingdescription or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The methods andapparatuses are capable of implementation in other embodiments and ofbeing practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Examples ofspecific implementations are provided herein for illustrative purposesonly and are not intended to be limiting. In particular, acts, elementsand features discussed in connection with any one or more embodimentsare not intended to be excluded from a similar role in any otherembodiments. Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is forthe purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Theuse herein of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,”“involving,” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the itemslisted thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a block diagram depicting oneexample of a frequency multiplier circuit 100 in accordance with aspectsof the invention. In one embodiment, frequency multiplier circuit 100includes at least one input for receiving an input signal 105. The inputsignal may be processed by a plurality of delay elements 110 to generatemultiple delay tap signals 112 of input signal 105, as discussed furtherbelow. The frequency multiplier may include at least one selector 115that can receive the delay tap signals 112 and provide at least oneselected delay tap signal to a phase detector 120 and to a digital logicgate 130. As discussed below, phase detector 120 may receive a firstselected delay tap signal 132 and digital logic gate 130 may receive asecond selected delay tap signal 133. Phase detector 120 may provide aphase detection signal 134 to controller 140. Phase detection signal134, as discussed below, may indicate a value of a phase shift of firstselected delay tap signal 132 relative to input signal 105. Controller140 may couple with counter 125 to associate at least one delay element110 with a delay tap signal 112 having a phase shift corresponding to apredetermined value. Counter 125 may maintain information indicatingthat, for example, a n^(th) serially connected delay element 110provides a delay tap signal 112 having a 180 degree phase shift. Asdiscussed below, selector 115 may provide second delay tap signal 133 todigital logic gate 130, where it may be combined with input signal 105to generate output signal 165. Output signal 165, may be provided tooutput gate 160, where enablement signal 142, provided for example bycontroller 140, may enable the output of output signal 165 from outputgate 160.

As discussed above, the frequency multiplier circuit may be used togenerate clock signals in a digital circuit. Accordingly, in oneexample, input signal 105 may include a digital clock signal having aparticular frequency, period, and duty cycle. A crystal such as a quartzcrystal or a piezoelectric resonator may generate input signal 105. Inone example, input signal 105 includes a signal having a frequencybetween, for example, about 24 MHz and 28 MHz. However, it is to beappreciated that characteristics of input signal 105, such as frequency,may vary widely from this range and that input signal 105 may include avariety of oscillating signals, such as any square wave signals orpulses, for example. In one embodiment, frequency multiplier circuit 100can be located on a transceiver chip and input signal 105 can begenerated by a crystal clock signal generator that can also be locatedon the transceiver chip.

Still referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, frequency multipliercircuit 100 includes a plurality of delay elements 110. Delay elements110 may be serially connected where an initial delay element 110receives input signal 105 and each subsequent delay element 110 receivesas its input the output from the previous delay element 110, asillustrated in FIG. 1. Each delay element 110 introduces a specifieddelay to the signal received at its input, and provides an output signalthat is therefore phase shifted with respect to the received inputsignal. The plurality of delay elements 110 thus may provide a pluralityof delay tap signals 112, each delay tap signal 112 being phase shiftedwith respect to adjacent delay tap signals 112 by a specified amountdetermined by the delay added by the respective delay element 110. Inthe series configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, each sequential delaytap signal 112 is further phase shifted with respect to the input signal105. In one embodiment, the plurality of delay elements 110 may besubstantially identical and therefore add substantially the same delayor phase shift to the signal received at its input. Accordingly, ifthere are N delay elements 110 and the phase shift caused by each delayelement 110 is x degrees, then the plurality of delay elements 110generate N delay tap signals 112, each delay tap signal 112 being phaseshifted with respect to the input signal 105 by k*x degrees, where k isthe number of delay elements 110 used to produce the respective delaytap signal 112. For example, the third delay element 100 in the seriesmay generate a delay tap signal 112 that is phase shifted by 3× degreesrelative to the input signal 105, and the k^(th) delay element 110generates a delay tap signal 112 that is phase shifted by k× degreesrelative to the input signal 105.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting an example of a frequency multipliercircuit 100 in accordance with aspects of the invention. With referenceto FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, input signal 105 cascades through a plurality ofdelay elements 110. Each delay element 110 generally introduces a delayto input signal 105. In one embodiment, a delay tap signal 112 from adelay element 110 can be provided to digital logic gate 130 to generatean output signal 165. In one embodiment, delay tap signal 112 can besecond selected delay tap signal 133. By combining input signal 105 withdelay tap signal 112 that is phase shifted from input signal 105, outputsignal 165 can have a frequency greater than a frequency of input signal105. In various embodiments, any delay element 110 can provide delay tapsignal 112 to, for example, digital logic gate 130 for combination withinput signal 105 to produce output signal 165.

It is to be appreciated that the number of delay elements 110 that formpart of frequency multiplier circuit 100 may vary. In one embodiment,the plurality of delay elements 110 includes 128 delay elements,although other numbers of delay elements 110 that may or may not befactors of the number 2 are suitable as well. The number of delayelements 110 used may depend on the total phase shift desired betweenthe last delay tap signal 112 and the input signal 105 and on thedesired resolution. For example, 128, or any other number, of delayelements 110 may collectively provide a delay tap signal 112 with aphase shift within a desired range, such as from 175 to 185 degrees.Increasing or decreasing the number of delay elements 110 may narrow orbroaden this range. For example, 360 substantially equal delay elements110 may produce 360 delay tap signals 112, each having a phase shift ofone degree with respect to a signal received as input. If, for example,frequency multiplier circuit 100 includes 36 substantially equal delayelements 110, each delay element 110 may generate a delay tap signal 112having a 10 degree phase shift with respect to a signal received asinput. In addition, in one embodiment, frequency multiplier circuit 100can include a single delay element 110. For example, a single delay tapelement 110 can receive input signal 105 and produce a plurality ofdelay tap signals 112, where each delay tap signal 112 can be phaseshifted by a different amount with respect to input signal 105.

It is further to be appreciated that the phase shifts produced by eachdelay element 110 need not be the same. Generally, delay elements 110can introduce phase shifts of any degree to any signal to which they arecoupled. For example, a first delay element 110 can generate a firstdelay tap signal 112 with a phase shift of x degrees relative to inputsignal 105, and a second delay element 110 can receive the first delaytap signal 112 and produce a second delay tap signal 112 with a y degreephase shift relative to the first delay tap signal 112. Variouscombinations of delay elements 110 can provide a series of delay tapsignals 112 with various different phase shifts, allowing flexibility inproducing the output signal. In one embodiment, at least one delayelement 110 can produce a delay tap signal 112 with a phase shift ofsubstantially 180 degrees relative to input signal 105, as discussedfurther below.

According to one embodiment, the plurality of delay tap signals 112 maybe fed to at least one selector 115. Selector 115 may be coupled to atleast one phase detector 120, at least one counter 125, and at least onedigital logic gate 130, as discussed above. Selector 115 generallyreceives delay tap signals 112 and provides first selected delay tapsignal 132 to phase detector 120, and provides second selected delay tapsignal 133 to digital logic gate 130. In one embodiment, selector 115receives the plurality of delay tap signals 112 and sequentiallyprovides them as first selected delay tap signal 132 to phase detector120. When a first selected delay tap signal 132 is recognized, forexample by controller 140, to have a phase shift corresponding to apredetermined value, controller 140 may direct counter 125 to providefirst counter signal 170 to selector 115. In this example, now that aparticular delay tap signal 112 having a desired phase shift has beenidentified, first counter signal 170 may instruct selector 115 tocontinuously provide that particular delay tap signal 112 to phasedetector 120 as first selected delay tap signal 132. In thisillustrative embodiment, counter 125 can also provide second countersignal 175 to selector 115 that identifies a delay tap signal 112 to beselected as second selected delay tap signal 133.

In one embodiment, selector 115 may include at least one multiplexor. Asknown to those skilled in the art, a multiplexor receives a plurality ofsignals as input, and provides at least one of the received signals asoutput. For example, selector 115 may include a multiplexor configuredto receive the plurality of delay tap signals 112 from delay elements110 and to provide a first selected delay tap signal 132 to phasedetector 120.

Frequency multiplier circuit 100 may include more than one selector 115.For example, FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting an example of afrequency multiplier circuit 300 in accordance with aspects of theinvention. Frequency multiplier circuit 300 may include first selector305 and second selector 310, which may, for example, include at leastone multiplexor. In one embodiment, at least one of first selector 305and second selector 310 can form part of selector 115. As illustrated inFIG. 3, second selector 310 may be coupled to the plurality of delayelements 110, phase detector 120, and counter 125. Second selector 310may be configured to provide first selected delay tap signal 132 tophase detector 120. For example, second selector 310 may receive secondcounter signal 175 from counter 125 identifying at least one delayelement 110 that generates a delay tap signal with a phase shiftcorresponding to a predetermined value. In one embodiment, secondselector 310 selects, as first selected delay tap signal 132, a delaytap signal generated by the identified delay element 110.

In one embodiment, first selector 305 may be coupled to the plurality ofdelay elements 110, counter 125, and digital logic gate 130. Firstselector 305 may be configured to provide second selected delay tapsignal 133 to digital logic gate 130. For example, first selector 305may receive first counter signal 170 from counter 125 identifying atleast one delay element 110 that generates second selected delay tapsignal 133. In one embodiment, first selector 305 selects, as secondselected delay tap signal 133, a delay tap signal generated by theidentified delay element 110. First selector 305 may then provide secondselected delay tap signal 133 to digital logic gate 130.

For example a n^(th) delay element 110 may provide a delay tap signal112 with, for example a 180 degree phase shift with respect to inputsignal 105. In one embodiment, selector 115 may select at least onedelay tap signal 112 having a phase shift and provide this delay tapsignal 112 as first selected delay tap signal 132 to phase detector 120.In the next iteration, selector 115 may select at least one other delaytap signal 112 as first selected delay tap signal 132 to provide tophase detector 120. Continuing with this example, phase detector 120 cansequentially receive, as first selected delay tap signal 132, each delaytap signal 112 as it is provided over time by delay elements 110. Phasedetector 120 may then generate at least one phase detection signal 134corresponding to each selected delay tap signal. Phase detection signals134 generally indicate a value of a phase shift associated with a delaytap signal 112 produced by at least one delay element 110. In oneembodiment, these iterations may continue until selector 115 selects adelay tap signal 112 having a phase shift corresponding to apredetermined value. Continuing with this illustrative embodiment, ifthe predetermined value is 180 degrees, selector 115 can, on the n^(th)iteration, provide, as first selected delay tap signal 132, a delay tapsignal 112 generated by a n^(th) delay element 110.

In a further illustrative embodiment, input signal 105 may cascadethrough the plurality of serially connected delay elements 110 that mayeach produce at least one delay tap signal 112, as described above.Selector 115 can receive the plurality of delay tap signals 112 andprovide one of them as first selected delay tap signal 132 to phasedetector 120. Phase detector 120 may determine if first selected delaytap signal 132 is phase shifted by a predetermined amount. If the phaseshift of first selected delay tap signal 132 matches a predeterminedamount, frequency multiplier circuit 100 can enable output gate 160.

As discussed above, in one embodiment, the frequency multiplier includesa phase detector 120 configured to receive at least one delay tap signal112 generated by a delay element 110. This may include a delay tapsignal 112 having a phase shift substantially equal to a predeterminedvalue, such as 180 degrees, for example. In one embodiment, phasedetector 120 receives input signal 105. In another embodiment, phasedetector 120 receives input signal 105 after input signal 105 passesthrough one or more digital logic gates or programmable gate arrays,such as first inverter 135. Phase detector 120 may include a logicdevice such as a set/reset flip-flop, DQ flip-flop, JK flip-flop ormaster/slave flip flop. In one embodiment, phase detector 120 can beconfigured to receive first selected delay tap signal 132 generated by adelay element 110 as well as input signal 105, and to generate phasedetection signal 134. In one embodiment, phase detection signal 134generated by phase detector 120 indicates a value of a phase shift of adelay tap signal 112 with respect to input signal 105. For example,phase detector 120 may provide phase detection signal 134 indicatingthat one of a plurality of delay tap signals 112 is phase shifted by anynumber of degrees with respect to input signal 105.

Frequency multiplier circuit 100 may include at least one controller140. Controller 140 may include at least one logic device, such as aprocessor having sufficient processing power to perform the logicoperations described herein. For example, controller 140 may include atleast one programmable or field programmable gate array configured toreceive phase detection signal 134 and to output signals for furtherprocessing. In one embodiment, controller 140 can receive at least onephase detection signal 134 from phase detector 120 and at least onecalibration signal. The calibration signal may be provided to frequencymultiplier circuit 100, and the calibration signal may be subject tologic operations by, for example, programmable gate arrays or otherlogic devices such as at least one of second inverter 145 andcalibration gate 150, which in one embodiment can include at least oneOR gate.

In one embodiment, controller 140 may transition frequency multipliercircuit 100 from a calibration state to an operational state by enablingoutput gate 160. In one embodiment and with reference to FIG. 4,frequency multiplier circuit 100 cycles through a calibration mode ofoperation 405 when it is activated or turned on. In calibration mode405, the output of the frequency multiplier circuit 100 can be disabled,so that it does not provide a spurious output signal to subsequentcircuit elements. Output gate 160 may include a programmable logic arrayor other logic device. In one embodiment, output gate 160 includes alogic device having at least one AND gate. Controller 140 may couplewith phase detector 120 and output gate 160 so that controller 140receives phase detection signals 134 from phase detector 120 and enablesoutput gate 160 when a value of a phase shift, as indicated in the phasedetection signal, corresponds to a predetermined value. When phasedetection signal 134 corresponds to a predetermined value, one of theplurality of delay elements 110 may provide a delay tap signal 112having a desired phase shift.

In one embodiment, controller 140 can provide and output gate 160 canreceive enablement signal 142 that may prevent frequency multipliercircuit 100 from applying output signal 165. Output signal 165 may beprovided by output gate 160 upon receipt of enablement signal 142.Output signal 165 may include an XOR combination, for example by digitallogic gate 130, of input signal 105 and second selected delay tap signal133. In one embodiment, digital logic gate 130 generates output signal165 that is phase shifted by approximately 90 degrees with respect toinput signal 105. This can result in output signal 165 having about a50% duty cycle and a frequency of about double that of input signal 105.Although not shown in FIG. 1, output gate 160 may also include at leastone output multiplexor adapted to receive at least one bypass clocksignal and to provide output signal 165. In one embodiment, the bypassclock may provide input signal 105 directly to output gate 160, thusbypassing delay elements 110.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, controller 140 may receive at least oneskew calibration signal. For example, controller 140 may receive atleast one skew calibration signal including software control bits totune a frequency of output signal 165, which can skew the duty cycle ofoutput signal 165 by, for example, +/−5%. For example, the skewcalibration signal may adjust the duty cycle of output signal 165 byintroducing positive or negative delay to output signal 165.

Operation of the frequency multiplier circuit 100 may be described interms of a finite state machine. For example, referring to FIG. 4,frequency multiplier circuit 100 may transition between states ofoperation based at least in part on phase shifts between delay tapsignals 112 and input signal 105. In one embodiment, frequencymultiplier circuit 100 can remain in one state until phase detector 120generates a value of a phase shift that corresponds to a predeterminedvalue. In one embodiment, a delay tap signal 112 having a desired phaseshift relative to input signal 105 can be identified, and frequencymultiplier circuit 100 can transition to another state. In variousembodiments, controller 140 may also include software control bitsconfigured to delay input signal 105, or to reset frequency multipliercircuit 100, for example.

In one embodiment, the states of frequency multiplier circuit 100 areillustrated in FIG. 4, which is a block diagram depicting examples ofmodes of operation of frequency multiplier circuit 100 in accordancewith aspects of the invention. In one embodiment, frequency multipliercircuit 100 includes two main states of operation, at least onecalibration mode 405, at least one first transition mode 410, at leastone operation mode 415, and at least one second transition mode 420. Incalibration mode 405, input signal 105 may cascade through a pluralityof serially connected delay elements 110 until phase detection signal134 indicates a delay tap signal 112 having a phase shift correspondingto a predetermined value, at which point phase detection signal 134 maychange states, (e.g., switch from logic 1 to logic zero.) In oneembodiment, calibration mode 405 occurs after start-up or reset of afrequency multiplier circuit, before output signal 165 is provided asoutput from frequency multiplier circuit 100.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, in one embodiment, when frequencymultiplier circuit 100 operates in calibration mode 405, counter 125keeps track of a number of delay elements 110 whose delay tap signals112 have been provided to phase detector 120. In calibration mode 405,at least one second counter signal 175 may be disabled so that secondselected delay tap signal 133 may not be provided to digital logic gate130. In calibration mode 405, enablement signal 142 may also disableoutput gate 160, for example by providing a logic-low signal (e.g., azero) to output gate 160.

In one embodiment, when phase detection signal 134 changes states,indicating for example that first selected delay tap signal 132 has aphase shift corresponding to a predetermined value, a frequencymultiplier circuit may enter first transition mode 410, at which pointcounter 125 may stop its count of delay elements 110 upon identificationof at least one particular delay element 110 associated with firstselected delay tap signal 132 having a desired phase shift. In firsttransition mode 410, counter 125 may enable second counter signal 175 sothat selector 115 selects second selected delay tap signal 133. Whenenablement signal 142 switches states, for example from low to high,frequency multiplier circuit 100 may proceed to move from firsttransition mode 410 to operation mode 415. In operation mode 415,enablement signal 142 allows output gate 160 to pass output signal 165.In one embodiment, enablement signal 142 may switch states andcontroller 140 may enable output gate 160 upon switching, for example,from a logic zero to a logic one.

In one embodiment, at least one enablement calibration signal may beprovided. When, for example, the enablement calibration signal switchesstates, frequency multiplier circuit 100 may begin a transition fromoperation mode 415 back to calibration mode 405 by entering secondtransition mode 420. In second transition mode 420, enablement signal142 may switch states relative to its operation mode 415 state. Forexample, enablement signal 142 may switch from a logic one to a logiczero, disabling output gate 160 and preventing output signal 165 frompassing as output from frequency multiplier circuit 100. It should beappreciated that in one embodiment output signal 165 is provided only inoperation mode 415.

In one embodiment in calibration mode 405 enables counter 125, which cancontrol the operation of selector 115 so that selector 115 selects aplurality of delay tap signals 112 as first selected delay tap signal132. For example, selector 115 output, (e.g. first selected delay tapsignal 132) can get updated each input signal 105 clock cycle as inputsignal 105 cascades or ripples through a plurality of delay elements110. In one embodiment, selector 115 output can be sampled with at leastone falling edge of input signal 105. In one embodiment, when a sampleregister detects a logic zero (or other change,) in selector 115 output,a delay corresponding to a 180 degree phase shift relative to inputsignal 105 has been identified. At this point, in this example,frequency multiplier circuit 100 may transition from calibration mode405 to operation mode 415.

For example, if the phase shift of first selected delay tap signal 132matches a predetermined amount, frequency multiplier circuit 100 canenable output gate 160 and transition from calibration mode 405 tooperation mode 415. If not, frequency multiplier circuit 100 cancontinue in calibration mode 405 and another delay tap signal 112 can beselected by selector 115 and provided to phase detector 120. In oneembodiment, frequency multiplier circuit 100 remains in calibration mode405, with output gate 160 disabled when phase detector 120 cyclesthrough first selected delay tap signals 132, and transitions tooperation mode 415 when a delay tap signal 112 with a phase shiftmatching a predetermined value is identified.

Continuing with this illustrative embodiment, a 180 degree phase shiftmay be determined To generate output signal 165 with approximately a 50%duty cycle and approximately twice the frequency of input signal 105,frequency multiplier circuit 100 may proceed to identify a delay tapsignal 112 with a 90 degree phase shift. For example, during transitionfrom calibration mode 405 to operation mode 415 via first transitionmode 410, at least one first counter signal 170, which corresponds to anumber of delay elements 110 that provide a delay tap signal 112 with a180 degree phase shift, can be divided in half, for example by use of aright shift function. In this example, second counter signal 175 mayinclude this shifted counter value used by selector 115 to select secondselected delay tap signal 133. In one embodiment, upon selection ofsecond selected delay tap signal 133, frequency multiplier circuit 100transitions to operation mode 415, enabling output of output signal 165.For example, second selected delay tap signal 133 may be provided todigital logic gate 130 together as input with input signal 105. Thisgenerates output signal 165 operating at approximately twice thefrequency of input signal 105, and having approximately a 50% dutycycle.

Phase detector 120 may provide first phase detection signal 134 thatindicates that one of delay elements 110 can provide a delay tap signal112 with a phase shift relative to input signal 105. This phasedetection signal 134 may be provided to counter 125, for example viacontroller 140. In an embodiment including a plurality of seriallyconnected delay elements 110, counter 125 can maintain informationidentifying a number of delay elements 110 that produced phase detectionsignal 134. In one embodiment where delay elements 110 may not beserially connected, counter 125 can identify at least one delay element110 that produces phase detection signal 134. Counter 125 may includememory to store data indicating that the first delay element 110provides a delay tap signal 112 that is phase shifted by x degrees withrespect to input signal 105. In a next iteration of this illustrativeembodiment, a subsequent phase detection signal 134 may indicate thatanother delay element 110 provides another delay tap signal 112 with,for example, a x+y degree phase shift relative to input signal 105. Inthis illustrative embodiment, this delay tap signal 112 may then beprovided, as first selected delay tap signal 132, to phase detector 120,where phase detection signal 134 associating one delay element 110 witha x+y degree phase shift relative to input signal 105 can be provided tocounter 125.

It should be appreciated that counter 125 generally maintainsinformation identifying a number of delay elements 110 used to providedelay tap signals 112 having various phase shifts relative to inputsignal 105. In the example where each delay element 110 introduces afurther phase shift to each delay tap signal 112, counter 125 canidentify which delay element 110 corresponds to which phase shift. Inthis example and with respect to input signal 105, at least one delayelement 110 can be associated with a delay tap signal 112 having a xdegree phase shift, another delay tap signal 112 can be associated witha x+y degree phase shift, and so on so that, for example, the n^(th)delay element 110 can be associated with, for example, a 180 degreephase shift. Generally, delay elements 110 may introduce phase shifts ofvarying degrees to an input signal.

In one embodiment of this example, a selected delay tap signal 112 witha phase shift of approximately 180 degrees includes any phase shiftbetween 170 and 190 degrees. In one embodiment, a phase shift ofapproximately 180 degrees includes a phase shift of between 177 and 183degrees, and approximately a 90 degree phase shift includes an 88 to 92degree phase shift. Further variations of approximate ranges, bothbroader and narrower, are possible. Generally, any range relative to anexact value that does not substantially degrade operation of frequencymultiplier circuit 100 as compared to its operation at an exactpredetermined value is approximately the predetermined value.

Counter 125, which can associate phase shifts of each delay tap signal112 with at least one delay element 110 that provided each phase shift,may generate counter signals that can identify which delay element 110provided which delay tap signal 112. For example, counter 125 maygenerate or provide at least one first counter signal 170 indicative ofa first number of delay elements 110 that produce first selected delaytap signal 132 and at least one second counter signal 175 indicative ofa second number of delay elements 110 that produce a second selecteddelay tap signal 133. With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, the latter ofwhich is a block diagram depicting an example of a frequency multipliercircuit 500 in accordance with aspects of the invention. Frequencymultiplier circuit 500 may include at least one counter selector 505. Inone embodiment, counter selector 505 includes a multiplexor that canreceive first counter signal 170 and second counter signal 175 andprovide at least one of these signals to multiplexor 115.

In one embodiment, counter selector 505 may receive at least one of afrequency calibration signal and a control calibration signal. Forexample, the control calibration signal may provide a delay value usedto generates at least one of first selected delay tap signal 132 andsecond selected delay tap signal 133. In one embodiment, although notdepicted in FIG. 5, a frequency calibration signal may enable counterselector 505. When enabled, counter selector 505 may provide the controlcalibration signal, as second counter signal 175, to selector 115. Basedon second counter signal 175, selector 115 may provide second selecteddelay tap signal 133 to digital logic gate 130.

In one embodiment, counter 125 may maintain data indicating that an^(th) serially connected delay element 110 may provide a delay tapsignal 112 having a 180 degree phase shift relative to input signal 105.In this illustrative embodiment, where for example a predetermined valueof a phase shift is 180 degrees, and where at least one delay element110 providing a 180 degree phase shift has been detected, controller 140may enable output gate 160. Continuing with this example, counter 125may generate first counter signal 170 indicating that the n^(th) delayelement 110 provides a delay tap signal 112 having a phase shift thatcorresponds to a predetermined value, 180 degrees in this example.Counter 125 may also generate second counter signal 175 that indicates asecond number of delay elements 110 that produce a second selected delaytap signal 133.

It should be appreciated that the numbers used in the illustrativeembodiments herein are examples that do not limit the operation offrequency multiplier circuit 100. For example, any number of delayelements 110 can produce a phase shift corresponding to anypredetermined value from, for example, zero to 360. Delay elements 110may, but need not be serially connected as illustrated in FIG. 1. Otherconfigurations are possible. For example, a single delay element 110 canproduce, provide, or generate a plurality of delay tap signals 112 at aplurality of different phases, one of which may be selected as firstselected delay tap signal 132, and one of which may be selected assecond selected delay tap signal 133. Counter 125 may perform variouslogic operations to deduce a number of delay elements 110 that produce adelay tap signal 112 that can be selected as a second selected delay tapsignal 133, and counter 125 may, but need not perform a divide by twooperation. Generally any logic operation that enables detection ofsecond selected delay tap signal 133 having a phase shift with respectto input signal 105 may be implemented.

When enabled, frequency multiplier circuit 100 may provide output signal165 from output gate 160. For example, counter 125 may generate firstcounter signal 170 indicating that the n^(th) delay element produces adelay tap signal 112 with a desired phase shift. This first countersignal 170, indicating which delay element 110 produces a desired delaytap signal 112, can be received by multiplexor 115. Selector 115 mayrespond by providing, as first selected delay tap signal 132 to phasedetector 120, the delay tap signal 112 corresponding to a 180 degreephase shift. In this illustrative embodiment, once a delay tap signal112 with a phase shift matching a predetermined value has beenidentified, phase detector 120 may receive, during a plurality of inputsignal 105 clock cycles, as first selected delay tap signal 132, thedelay tap signal 112 corresponding to a desired (e.g., 180 degree) phaseshift.

FIG. 6 is a timing diagram depicting an example of frequency multipliercircuit signals in accordance with aspects of the invention. Withreference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, selector 115 provides second selecteddelay tap signal 133 to at least one digital logic gate 130. Digitallogic gate 130 may include at least one programmable gate array. Digitallogic gate 130 generally combines input signal 105 with second selecteddelay tap signal 133 to produce output signal 165 that may have afrequency greater than a frequency of input signal 105. In oneembodiment, digital logic gate 130 includes at least one exclusive ORgate or at least one exclusive NOR gate, (i.e., XOR or XNOR) thatcombines input signal 105 and second selected delay tap signal 133provided by selector 115 to produce output signal 165. It is appreciatedthat other logic gates can manipulate these signals to produce outputsignal 165. Each of input signal 105, delay tap signals 112, and outputsignal 165 can include a digital clock signal.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, second selected delay tap signal 133 is phaseshifted by 90 degrees with respect to input signal 105, although phaseshifts of other amounts are possible. In one embodiment, when digitallogic gate 130 receives input signal 105 (e.g., a digital clock inputsignal) and second selected delay tap signal 133, (e.g., the digitalclock input signal shifted by 90 degrees) output signal 165 can beproduced that has approximately a 50% duty cycle and a frequency ofapproximately double the frequency of input signal 105. Output gate 160,such as an AND gate, may receive output signal 165, and may also receivean enablement signal 142 from controller 140 indicating that frequencymultiplier circuit 100 may enter operational mode 415. In oneembodiment, when output gate 160 receives both of these signals,frequency multiplier circuit 100 can be enabled, and output signal 165,may be provided as a clock signal from frequency multiplier circuit 100to various electronic devices, such as elements that form part of atransceiver chip that may be part of a mobile phone or other device usedto communicate through a network, such as at least one of a GlobalSystem for Mobile Communications (GSM) network, a General Packet RadioService (GPRS) network, a Code Division Multiple Access Network, a TimeDivision Multiple Access Network, and an Enhanced Data Rate for GSMEvolution (EDGE) network.

First selected delay tap signal 132 and second selected delay tap signal133 may correspond to delay tap signals 112 having different phaseshifts relative to input signal 105. For example, first selected delaytap signal 132 may include the delay tap signal 112 provided by then^(th) delay element and having a phase shift of, for example, 180degrees relative to input signal 105. In this example, counter 125provides first counter signal 170 to selector 115 directing selector 115to select, as first selected delay tap signal 132, the delay tap signalprovided by the n^(th) delay element 110. In one embodiment, output gate160 is enabled when first selected delay tap signal 132 includes a delaytap signal 112 having a phase shift that corresponds to a predeterminedvalue.

Continuing with this embodiment, when output gate 160 is enabled,frequency multiplier circuit 100 may transition to operation mode 415and proceed to provide output signal 165. To do so, in this example,counter 125 may provide second counter signal 175 to multiplexor 115.Second counter signal 175 generally identifies at least one delayelement 110 that provides a delay tap signal 112 that is selected byselector 115 as the second selected delay tap signal 133. The secondselected delay tap signal 133 generally includes a delay tap signal 112having a phase shift relative input signal 105.

For example, if the n^(th) delay element 110 provides a delay tap signal112 having a phase shift corresponding to a predetermined value, thencounter 125 may provide first counter signal 170 to selector 115indicating to selector 115 that the delay tap signal 112 provided by then^(th) delay element 110 can be selected as the first selected delay tapsignal 132. Continuing with this example, if the delay tap signal 112generated by the n^(th) delay element 110 has a 180 degree phase shift,counter 125 may identify at least one delay element 110 that generates adelay tap signal 112 having a 90 degree phase shift by identifying then^(th)/2 delay element 110. The delay tap signal 112 generated by then^(th)/2 delay element 110 may be provided by selector 115 to digitallogic gate 130 as second selected delay tap signal 133. It should beappreciated that a delay element 110 that provides a delay tap signal112 selected as second selected delay tap signal 133 can have differentmathematical relationships with a n^(th) delay element 110 thatgenerates the delay tap signal 112 selected as the first delay tapsignal 132, and need not always be the n^(th)/2 delay element 110. Inone embodiment, counter 125 can generate second counter signal 175 bydividing in half the number of delay elements 110 that produce firstselected delay tap signal 132 to arrive at a number of delay elements110 that produce second selected delay tap signal 133. It should beappreciated that digitally detecting some phase shifts can beinefficient. For example, a falling edge of an input signal may notcorrespond to a logic state change of a signal having a 90 degree phasewith respect to an input signal. Furthermore, a buffer delay introducedin an attempt to generate a 90 degree phase shift can vary with voltageand temperature fluctuations, resulting in output signals withunpredictable duty cycles.

In one embodiment, first selected delay tap signal 132 can include adelay tap signal 112 generated by an odd numbered n^(th) element. Forexample, the 99^(th) delay element 110 may produce a delay tap signal112 with a 180 degree phase shift. In one embodiment, to select secondselected delay tap signal 133 with a 90 degree phase shift, the n^(th)(e.g., 99^(th)) serially connected delay element 110 can be divided bytwo and rounded to a nearest element. For example, second selected delaytap signal 133 may include a delay tap signal 112 produced by the eithera 49^(th) or a 50^(th) delay element 110.

In one embodiment, frequency multiplier circuit 100 can be incalibration mode 405 when phase detector 120 receives first selecteddelay tap signal 132 that corresponds to a predetermined value. In thisexample, frequency multiplier circuit 100 may transition fromcalibration mode 405 to operation mode 415 and phase detector 120 maycease iterating through delay tap signals 112. Upon transition tooperation mode 415, frequency multiplier circuit 100 can receive asfirst selected delay tap signal 132, the delay tap signal 112 having aphase shift corresponding to a predetermined value. When this occurs,frequency multiplier circuit 100 has identified a delay element 110 thatprovides a desired delay tap signal 112. In one embodiment, phasedetector 120 can continually receive a selected delay tap signal 112originating from a particular delay element 110 and controller 140 canenable output gate 160. With an enabled output gate 160, frequencymultiplier circuit 100 can operate in operation mode 415 and may provideoutput signal 165 as, for example, an output clock signal.

In one embodiment, counter 125 can provide first counter signal 170 andsecond counter signal 175 to multiplexor 115. For example, first countersignal 170 may identify which delay tap signal 112 is to be selected byselector 115 as first selected delay tap signal 132 and provided tophase detector 120. Second counter signal 175 may identify which delaytap signal 112 is to be selected by selector 115 and provided to digitallogic gate 130. Continuing with this example, first counter signal 170may indicate that the delay tap signal 112 produced by any particulardelay element 110 can be selected as first selected delay tap signal132. At least one of counter 125 and controller 140 may process dataindicating which delay element 110 produces first selected delay tapsignal 132 to determine which delay element 110 produces second selecteddelay tap signal 133.

In one embodiment, frequency multiplier circuit 100 is transitioning orhas transitioned to operational mode 415 when selector 115 providessecond selected delay tap signal 133 to digital logic gate 130. Secondselected delay tap signal 133 may have a known phase shift with respectto input signal 105, such as 90 degrees, for example. Second selecteddelay tap signal 133 may be referred to as a clock delay signal, as thissignal may include input signal 105 delayed by any number of degrees byone or more delay elements 110. In one embodiment, input signal 105 caninclude a digital input clock signal and the second selected delay tapsignal 133 can include a delayed clock signal that is, for example,approximately 90 degrees out of phase with the digital clock inputsignal.

FIG. 7 is a timing diagram depicting an example of frequency multipliercircuit signals in accordance with aspects of the invention. Asillustrated in FIG. 7, input signal 105 may be compared with firstselected delay tap signal 132 to determine if a phase shift of firstselected delay tap signal 132 corresponds to a predetermined value. Inone embodiment, a 180 degree phase shift between input signal 105 andfirst selected delay tap signal 132 can be detected by sampling firstselected delay tap signal 132 at successive falling edges of inputsignal 105. For example, detecting a zero, or logic-low, during afalling edge of input signal 105 indicates that first selected delay tapsignal 132 is at least 180 degrees out of phase with respect to inputsignal 105. When a plurality of serially connected delay elements 110each introduce a phase shift of some degrees to input signal 105, thefirst delay element 110 to provide first selected delay tap signal 132having a logic-low state at the falling edge of input signal 105 can bedelay element 110 that provides first selected delay tap signal 132having a phase shift corresponding to a predetermined value. It shouldbe appreciated that in various embodiments, phase shift detection caninclude sampling a rising edge of input signal 105, and phase detectionmay include detecting at least one of a logic-low (e.g., zero) and alogic-high (e.g., one) portions of first selected delay tap signal 132.

As illustrated in the example of FIG. 7, counter 125 indicates that afourth delay element 110 produces first selected delay tap signal 132that corresponds to a phase shift of a predetermined value, (180 degreesin this example, although other values may be used.) In one embodiment,phase detector 120 provides phase detection signal 134 to controller140.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, counter 125 may provide first counter signal170 to selector 115 indicating that selector 115 is to select, as firstselected delay tap signal 132, a delay tap signal 112 provided by, forexample, the fourth serially connected delay element 110. Counter 125may also provide second counter signal 175 to selector 115 indicatingwhich delay tap signal is to be selected as second selected delay tapsignal 133. For example, when first selected delay tap signal 132 is afourth serially connected delay element 110, second selected delay tapsignal 133 may be a second serially connected delay element 110. In thisillustrative embodiment, where first selected delay tap signal 132corresponds to a 180 degree phase shift, second selected delay tapsignal 133 corresponds to a 90 degree phase shift.

Continuing with the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 7, frequencymultiplier circuit 100 can begin transition from calibration mode 405 tooperation mode 415 when, as depicted in FIG. 7, phase detection signal134 indicates that a fourth delay element 110 generates a signal with aphase shift corresponding to a predetermined value. Controller 140receives phase detection signal 134 and can provide a signal to counter125 indicating that a signal with a particular phase shift has beenreceived. Counter 125 can identify which delay element 110 generatessecond selected delay tap signal 133 and can direct selector 115 toselect, as second selected delay tap signal 133, the signal generated bythat delay element.

FIG. 8 is a timing diagram depicting an example of frequency multipliercircuit signals in accordance with aspects of the invention. Asillustrated in FIG. 8, “clk_in” includes input signal 105, “clk_out”includes output signal 165, “count” includes counter 125, “clk_mux”includes first selected delay tap signal 132, “clk_smp” includes phasedetection signal 134, “en_out” includes enablement signal 142, “sel_clk”includes second counter signal 175.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, a logic state, such as a zero, can be detectedat first selected delay tap signal 132 during a falling edge of inputsignal 105. In one embodiment, this can correspond to a 180 degree phaseshift between first selected delay tap signal 132 and input signal 105.In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the zero detection occurs atthe 100^(th) delay element 110, as indicated by counter 125. This beginsthe transition of frequency multiplier circuit 100 from calibration mode405 to operation mode 415. In the example of FIG. 8, frequencymultiplier circuit 100 enters operation mode at the 102^(nd) delayelement 110, as indicated by counter 125. In this example, enablementsignal 142 changes states and second counter signal 175 then indicatesthat the delay tap signal generated by the 51^(st) delay element 110 isthe second selected delay tap signal 133. As illustrated in FIG. 8, inoperation mode 415, first selected delay tap signal 132 may continuallyselect the signal generated by the 102^(nd) delay element 110, andsecond selected delay tap signal 133 may continually select the signalgenerated by the 51^(st) delay element 110. As illustrated in FIG. 8,four states of frequency multiplier circuit 100 can be represented inbinary form at least in part by phase detection signal 134, where, forexample, “00” represents calibration mode 405, “01” representstransition mode 410, “11” represents operation mode 415, and “10”represents transition mode 420.

FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12 are each timing diagrams depictingexamples of an output signal of a frequency multiplier circuit inaccordance with various aspects of the invention. As illustrated inthese figures, in one embodiment, the frequency of input signal 105 canbe approximately 26 MHZ and the frequency of output signal 165 can be atleast 45 MHz. In various embodiments output signal 165 frequency may bebetween 46 MHz and 54 MHz. This 46 MHz-54 MHz range is not limiting, andthe systems and methods described herein embrace both wider and narrowerfrequency ranges for output signal 165. In one embodiment, output signal165 has a frequency of approximately 52 MHz. As illustrated in FIGS.9-11, output signal 165 can be skewed or otherwise tuned to adjust theduty cycle by, for example +/−5%. It should be appreciated that the twolines as illustrated in FIGS. 9-11 depict, in these examples,measurement ranges of output signal 165. Variations in the plots shownmay be due to temperature and process variations in frequency multipliercircuit 100 elements.

In one embodiment, frequency multiplier circuit 100 forms part of atleast one transceiver. For example, frequency multiplier circuit 100 mayprovide output signal 165 as a clock signal to a digital receiver filterengine or its components that form part of a transceiver. In oneembodiment, frequency multiplier circuit 100 forms part of a digitalreceiver filter engine. The transceiver may be compliant with GSM/EDGEor other industry standards. In one embodiment, frequency multipliercircuit 100 forms part of a GSM/EDGE transceiver. Generally, suchtransceivers or other chips may require on chip higher speed clockgeneration from a lower speed clock that provides input signal 105. Forexample, a crystal clock on a transceiver or other chip may generate aclock signal with a frequency of 26 MHz and the transceiver may requirea clock signal with a frequency of at least 45 MHz. In one embodiment,frequency multiplier circuit 100 may receive the 26 MHz clock signal asinput signal 105 and provide output signal 165, with a frequency of atleast 45 MHz. A transceiver or associated elements may require clocksignals with a particular duty cycle range. In one embodiment, a dutycycle of output signal 165 can be in the range of 46% to 54%. This46%-54% range is not limiting, and the systems and methods describedherein embrace both wider and narrower duty cycle ranges of outputsignal 165. In one embodiment, a duty cycle range of output signal 165can be 50%+/−2%. In one embodiment, output signal 165 can be applied toa transceiver or its associated elements. The transceiver may beincluded in a mobile telephone, PDA, or other device.

In one embodiment, a cell array of frequency multiplier circuit 100 is amaximum of 1000 gates, and may be placed and routed into, for example, atransceiver. In one embodiment, frequency multiplier circuit 100 has amaximum area of 0.02 mm², (approximately 0.000031 in².) In anotherembodiment, the maximum area of frequency multiplier circuit 100 can be0.013 mm², (approximately 0.000020 in².) For example, frequencymultiplier circuit 100 may have dimensions of 110 μm×120 μm,(approximately 0.0043 in×0.0047 in.) In one embodiment, frequencymultiplier circuit, when activated, draws a maximum of 300 μA ofcurrent. Frequency multiplier circuit 100 may also be integrated on atop level of a RF EDGE transceiver.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart depicting one example of a method 1300 ofproviding a clock signal in accordance with aspects of the invention. Inone embodiment, method 1300 receives an input signal (ACT 1305).Receiving an input signal (ACT 1305) may include receiving a signalgenerated from a crystal clock on a transceiver or other type ofelectronic chip. In one embodiment, receiving an input signal (ACT 1305)includes a receiving a system clock having a frequency of, for example,approximately 26 MHz. Other frequencies are possible in variousembodiments. Receiving an input signal (ACT 1305) can include receivingany clock signal having a frequency and a duty cycle.

In one embodiment, receiving an input signal (ACT 1305) includesreceiving an input signal that has been enabled for transmission to afrequency multiplier circuit by, for example, a digital logic gate. Forexample, an AND gate may receive an input signal as well as an inputsignal enablement signal that enables transmission of an input signal toa frequency multiplier circuit, where it may be received, (ACT 1305).Receiving an input signal (ACT 1305) may include at least one of aplurality of delay elements receiving an input signal. For example, thedelay elements may be serially connected so that the input signal, whenreceived, cascades through the plurality of delay elements.

Method 1300 may include an act of generating a plurality of delay tapsignals from the input signal (ACT 1310). For example, the input signalmay be received (ACT 1305) by at least one of a plurality of seriallyconnected delay elements so that the input signal successively flowsthrough the delay elements. Although the number of delay elements canvary, in one embodiment, 128 serially connected delay lines can eachprovide at least one delay tap signal, which generally includes theinput signal phase shifted by some amount. In one embodiment, each delayelement may receive, as input, either the input signal or an outputsignal of another delay element (ACT 1305). In response to receiving aninput signal (ACT 1305), method 1300 may proceed to generate or provideat least one delay tap signal. Generating at least one delay tap signal(ACT 1310) may include providing or creating at least one delay clocksignal. For example, generating delay tap signals (ACT 1310) may includeproviding at least one signal having a phase shift with respect to theinput signal. In one embodiment, each delay element to receive an inputsignal (ACT 1305) may proceed to generate at least one delay tap signal(ACT 1310) having a phase shift with respect to the input signal. Eachof a plurality of delay tap elements may generate or be configured togenerate a delay tap signal.

In one embodiment, method 1300 detects a phase shift between the inputsignal and a first delay tap signal (ACT 1315). For example, a received(ACT 1305) input signal may be compared with a generated (ACT 1310)delay tap signal to detect (ACT 1315) a phase shift between the twosignals. Although phase shifts of delay tap signals may be of any degreewith respect to an input signal, in one embodiment, detecting a phaseshift of a delay tap signal (ACT 1315) includes detecting a 180 degreephase shift. For example, detecting a phase shift (ACT 1315) can includesampling a first selected delay tap signal at successive falling edgesof an input signal. For example, detecting a logic-zero during a fallingedge of an input signal may indicate that a selected delay tap signal isat least 180 degrees out of phase with respect to an input signal. Inone embodiment, detecting a phase shift (ACT 1315) includes sampling arising edge of an input signal. Detecting a phase shift (ACT 1315) canalso include detecting at least one of a logic-low (e.g., zero) and alogic-high (e.g., one) portions of a selected delay tap signal.Detecting a phase shift, (ACT 1315) may include sampling a falling edgeof both an input signal and a falling edge of a delay tap signal.

In one embodiment, method 1300 can select at least one delay tap signal(ACT 1320). For example, selecting a delay tap signal (ACT 1320) mayinclude identifying one of a plurality of delay tap signals as a signalhaving a phase shift corresponding to a predetermined value. Selecting adelay tap signal (ACT 1320) may include receiving a plurality of delaytap signals from a plurality of delay elements and sequentiallyoutputting a selected one of the delay tap signals. Selecting a delaytap signal (ACT 1320) may include selecting one of a plurality of delaytap signals based at least in part on a counter signal indicative of adelay element that produces a delay tap signal targeted for selection.

In one embodiment, selecting a delay tap signal (ACT 1320) includes alogic device such as a multiplexor receiving a plurality of signals asinput, and providing one of the plurality of signals as output. Forexample, selecting at least one delay tap signal (ACT 1320) may includereceiving, in a first iteration of a frequency multiplier circuit, onedelay tap signal, and selecting that signal as a signal to be providedto a logic device such as a phase detector. Continuing with thisexample, a different delay tap signal may be received and provided tothe logic device in a subsequent iteration.

In another embodiment, selecting at least one delay tap signal (ACT1320) may include receiving a signal indicating that one of a pluralityof delay elements provides a delay tap signal having a desired phaseshift, and selecting that delay tap signal. For example, selecting adelay tap signal (ACT 1320) may include selecting a delay tap signalhaving an approximate phase shift of, for example 90 degrees relative toan input signal. In another example, selecting a delay tap signal (ACT1320) may include selecting a delay tap signal having an approximatephase shift of 180 degrees relative to an input signal. It should beappreciated that method 1300 may include selecting (ACT 1320) delay tapsignals having phase shifts ranging from zero to 360 degrees withrespect to an input signal.

In one embodiment, method 1300 includes an act of generating at leastone clock signal (ACT 1325). For example, generating a clock signal (ACT1325) may include generating a clock signal responsive at least in partto an input signal and a second delay tap signal. In one embodiment,generating a clock signal (ACT 1325) can include combining an inputsignal and a selected delay tap signal that has a phase shift relativeto the input signal. This phase shift may be, for example, approximately90 degrees. In one embodiment, selecting a delay tap signal (ACT 1320)includes selecting a delay tap signal with a phase shift that is half ofa phase shift detected in detecting act (ACT 1315). For example,generating a clock signal (ACT 1325) may include providing an inputsignal and a selected delay tap signal as input into at least onedigital logic gate, such as a NOR or XNOR gate. Continuing with thisexample, generating a clock signal (ACT 1325) may include combining theinput signal with the selected delay tap signal.

Generating a clock signal (ACT 1325) may include generating an outputsignal having a frequency greater than a frequency of an input signal.For example, an input signal may have a frequency of approximately 26HMz, and generating a clock signal (ACT 1325) may include generating anoutput signal having a frequency of approximately 52 MHz. In oneembodiment, generating a clock signal (ACT 1325) includes generating anoutput signal having a duty cycle of approximately 50%. It should beappreciated that generating a clock signal (ACT 1325) may includegenerating signals having a range of characteristics, such asfrequencies and duty cycles. In one embodiment, generating a clocksignal (ACT 1325) may include generating an output signal for use by atransceiver. In a further embodiment, generating a clock signal (ACT1325) includes generating a clock output signal for a frequencymultiplier circuit on a transceiver chip where an input signal to thefrequency multiplier circuit originated from a crystal clock signalgenerator on the transceiver chip. Generating a clock signal may alsoinclude generating a signal having a frequency of at least 45 MHz.

In one embodiment, method 1300 can include an act of enabling an outputresponsive to a selected signal having a phase shift of a predeterminedvalue (ACT 1330). For example, enabling an output (ACT 1330) may includeenabling an output of a frequency multiplier circuit. In one embodiment,enabling an output (ACT 1330) may include providing at least one digitallogic device such as a multiplexor or an AND gate configured to receivethe generated (ACT 1325) clock signal as well as an enablement signal.Enabling an output (ACT 1330) generally allows an output signal to beprovided upon the satisfaction of set parameters. For example, enablingan output (ACT 1330) may be preconditioned on an output signal having apredetermined value. In one embodiment, enabling an output (ACT 1330)includes providing an output responsive to an output signal matchingpredetermined characteristics, such as a duty cycle of approximately 47%to 53%, or a frequency of at least 45 MHz, for example. In oneembodiment, enabling an output (ACT 1330) includes enabling an outputresponsive to a phase shift having a predetermined value ofapproximately 180 degrees. These numbers and ranges are examples and arenot limiting.

In one embodiment, where an output signal does not match predeterminedcharacteristics, method 1300 may disable an output (ACT 1335). Forexample, disabling an output (ACT 1335) may include disabling an outputresponsive to a phase shift of a selected delay tap signal having avalue that is different from a predetermined value. In one embodimentdisabling an output (ACT 1335) includes preventing a clock signal topass from a frequency multiplier circuit as output.

Method 1300 may include an act of providing a clock signal at an output(ACT 1340). In one embodiment, providing the clock signal at an output(ACT 1340) includes providing a clock signal at an output of a frequencymultiplier circuit that forms part of a transceiver used by a mobiletelephone that may communicate over a network, such as a Global Systemfor Mobile Communications (GSM) network, a General Packet Radio Service(GPRS) network, a Code Division Multiple Access Network, a Time DivisionMultiple Access Network, and an Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Evolution(EDGE) network, for example. Providing a signal at an output (ACT 1340)generally includes making a digital clock signal available for use byany electronic device, circuit, or component.

Note that in FIGS. 1 through 13, the enumerated items are shown asindividual elements. In actual implementations of the systems andmethods described herein, however, they may be inseparable components ofother electronic devices such as a digital computer. Thus, actionsdescribed above may be implemented at least in part in software that maybe embodied in an article of manufacture that includes a program storagemedium. The program storage medium includes data signals embodied in oneor more of a computer disk (magnetic, or optical (e.g., CD or DVD, orboth), non-volatile memory, tape, a system memory, and a computer harddrive.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the systems and methodsdescribed herein afford a simple and effective way to generate a clocksignal. The systems and methods according to various embodiments areable to detect a phase of a delayed clock signal relative to the clocksignal, and to identify a delay element that generates a delay tapsignal with characteristics that enable generation of a reliable andaccurate output clock signal with, for example, a 50% duty cycle and afrequency of approximately double a frequency of an input signal. Thesesystems and methods can be embodied in a frequency multiplier circuithaving a small footprint and that requires a minimal amount of currentto operate. This increases efficiency and compatibility, and lowerscost.

Any references to front and back, left and right, top and bottom, andupper and lower are intended for convenience of description, not tolimit the present systems and methods or their components to any onepositional or spatial orientation.

Any references to embodiments or elements or acts of the systems andmethods herein referred to in the singular may also embrace embodimentsincluding a plurality of these elements, and any references in plural toany embodiment or element or act herein may also embrace embodimentsincluding only a single element. References in the singular or pluralform are not intended to limit the presently disclosed systems ormethods, their components, acts, or elements.

Any embodiment disclosed herein may be combined with any otherembodiment, and references to “an embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “analternate embodiment”, “various embodiments”, “one embodiment” or thelike are not necessarily mutually exclusive and are intended to indicatethat a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described inconnection with the embodiment may be included in at least oneembodiment. The appearances of such terms herein are not necessarily allreferring to the same embodiment. Any embodiment may be combined withany other embodiment in any manner consistent with the objects, aims,and needs disclosed herein.

References to “or” may be construed as inclusive so that any termsdescribed using “or” may indicate any of a single, more than one, andall of the described terms.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed byreference signs, the reference signs have been included for the solepurpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly,neither the reference signs nor their absence have any limiting effecton the scope of any claim elements.

Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment, it isto be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvementswill readily occur to those skilled in the art. For example, a singledelay element may provide a plurality of delay tap signals, or aplurality of delay elements may be arranged in a parallel, serial, orhybrid combination so generate delay tap signals having various phaseshifts relative to each other and to an input signal. Furthermore, itshould be appreciated that in various embodiments, any of thecontroller, phase detector, digital logic gate, output gate, firstinverter, second inverter, calibration gate, selector, and that anyother elements may be combined into one or more elements or devices ofthe frequency multiplier circuit described herein. Such alterations,modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of thisdisclosure and are intended to be within the scope of the invention.Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way ofexample only, and the scope of the invention should be determined fromproper construction of the appended claims, and their equivalents.

1. A frequency multiplier circuit, comprising: a delay module configuredto provide a first delay signal and a second delay signal; a phasedetector configured to receive an input signal and the first delaysignal and to detect a phase shift between the first delay signal andthe input signal; a digital logic gate configured to receive the inputsignal and generate an output signal responsive to the second delaysignal and the input signal, the input signal bypassing the delaymodule; and a controller configured to selectively enable output of theoutput signal based on the phase shift.
 2. The frequency multipliercircuit of claim 1 wherein the delay module includes a first delayelement configured to provide the first delay signal, and a second delayelement configured to provide the second delay signal.
 3. The frequencymultiplier circuit of claim 2 further comprising a counter configured toprovide a first counter signal that identifies the first delay element,and to provide a second counter signal that identifies the second delayelement.
 4. The frequency multiplier of claim 1 wherein the phasedetector is configured to provide a phase detection signal indicative ofthe phase shift and the controller is configured to selectively enableoutput of the output signal responsive to the phase detection signal. 5.The frequency multiplier circuit of claim 1 wherein a phase shiftbetween the second delay signal and the input signal is less than thephase shift between the first delay signal and the input signal.
 6. Thefrequency multiplier circuit of claim 1 further comprising a multiplexorcoupled between the delay module and the phase detector and the digitallogic gate, the multiplexor configured to provide the first delay signalto the phase detector and to provide the second delay signal to thedigital logic gate.
 7. The frequency multiplier circuit of claim 6wherein the multiplexor is configured to select the first delay signalfrom a plurality of delay signals and select the second delay signalfrom the plurality of delay signals.
 8. The frequency multiplier circuitof claim 1 wherein the delay module is configured to provide a pluralityof delay signals including the first delay signal and the second delaysignal.
 9. The frequency multiplier circuit of claim 8 furthercomprising a first multiplexor coupled with the delay module and thephase detector, the first multiplexor configured to select the firstdelay signal from the plurality of delay signals and provide the firstdelay signal to the phase detector; and a second multiplexor coupledwith the delay module and the digital logic gate, the second multiplexorconfigured to select the second delay signal from the plurality of delaysignals and provide the second delay signal to the digital logic gate.10. The frequency multiplier circuit of claim 1 further comprising aninverter configured to invert the input signal and provide an invertedinput signal, the phase detector being configured to receive theinverted input signal.
 11. A method of providing a clock signal,comprising: receiving an input signal; generating a first delay signaland a second delay signal from the input signal; detecting a phase shiftbetween the input signal and the first delay signal; selecting thesecond delay signal based at least in part on the phase shift; andgenerating the clock signal using the input signal, the input signalbypassing the plurality of delay elements and the second delay signal.12. The method of claim 11 wherein generating the first and second delaysignals includes passing the input signal through a delay module. 13.The method of claim 11 wherein selecting the second delay signalincludes: providing a first counter signal that identifies a first delayelement configured to generate the first delay signal; and providing asecond counter signal that identifies a second delay element configuredto generate the second delay signal.
 14. The method of claim 11 furthercomprising: selectively enabling an output based at least in part on thephase shift; and providing the clock signal at the output.
 15. Afrequency multiplier circuit, comprising: a plurality of delay elementsincluding a first delay element that provides a first delay signal and asecond delay element that provides a second delay signal; a counterconfigured to generate a first counter signal that identifies the firstdelay element and a second counter signal that identifies the seconddelay element; and a digital logic gate configured to receive an inputsignal and the second delay signal, the digital logic gate furtherconfigured to generate an output signal responsive to the second delaysignal and the input signal, the input signal being directed to bypassthe plurality of delay elements.
 16. The frequency multiplier circuit ofclaim 15 further comprising a phase detector configured to receive thefirst delay signal, receive the input signal, detect a phase shiftbetween the first delay signal and the input signal, and provide a phasedetection signal indicative of the phase shift.
 17. The frequencymultiplier circuit of claim 16 further comprising a controller coupledwith the phase detector, the controller configured to receive the phasedetection signal and enable an output of the frequency multipliercircuit based on the phase detection signal.
 18. The frequencymultiplier circuit of claim 15 wherein the digital logic gate isconfigured to generate an output signal based on the second delay signaland the input signal.
 19. The frequency multiplier circuit of claim 15wherein the phase detector is configured to detect a phase shift betweenthe first delay signal and the input signal, the phase shift beinggreater than a phase shift between the second delay signal and the inputsignal.
 20. The frequency multiplier circuit of claim 19 wherein thephase shift between the first delay signal and the input signal isdouble the phase shift between the second delay element and the inputsignal.